COFFEE HOUR PARISH DUTIES. METROPOLIS OF ATLANTA 3850 Atlantic Boulevard Jacksonville, FL Office (904)

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1 COFFEE HOUR NOVEMBER 4 George Louh Memorial Luncheon NOVEMBER 11 Philoptochos Nameday NOVEMBER 18 Athena Mann Athena Grainger Cindy Tsengas Sonya Anderson NOVEMBER 25 Effie Elkins Litsa Skarantonakis Sophia PARISH DUTIES NOVEMBER 4, 2018 Ushers: Chris Regas, Yianni Demopoulos, Tina Griffin, Maria Pappas, Lloyd Regas Prosforo: Rose Marie Preddy Epistle Reader: Tony Assimenios NOVEMBER 11, 2018 Ushers: George Stavros, Dean Sunas, Dean Stoumbelis, Stephanie Wilkinson, Betty Carantza Prosforo: Alixe Stamatogiannakis Epistle Reader: Eleni Derke NOVEMBER 18, 2018 Ushers: Chris Rogan, Nick Stam, Sandy Antonopoulos, Gerald Springstead Prosforo: Georgia Triantafillopoulos Epistle Reader: Tom Gibson NOVEMBER 25, 2018 Ushers: Philip Amorgianos, Jim Carr, Steve Crenshaw, Lewis Preddy, Tony Palatsidis Prosforo: Mariana Triantafillopoulos Epistle Reader: Jim Carr METROPOLIS OF ATLANTA 3850 Atlantic Boulevard Jacksonville, FL Office (904) Rev. Dr. Nicholas G. Louh, Priest Rev. Dr. Milton A. Magos, Priest Dn. Athanasios Kartsonis Subdeacon Peter Bouras Pastoral Assistant: Alyssa Kyritsis Administrative Asst. Sharon Gutteridge St. John the Divine Mission Statement: To proclaim the Holy Gospel by teaching and spreading the Orthodox Christian Faith in a dynamic and welcoming community devoted to serving all people who seek a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Celebrating over 100 years of ministry in Jacksonville

2 FAMILY NIGHT We will start with dinner at 6:00 pm and break out into groups at 6:30 pm. We have something for everyone. Please plan for your family to be with us on Wednesdays. FAMILY NIGHT LOCATIONS Bible Study: Church Catechism: Chapel HOPE and JOY: Classrooms Greek School: Classrooms GOYA: Youth House Teen Dance: Church Hall MEN S BIBLE STUDY Every Tuesday in November the men of our Church Family will meet at Athens Café. Bible Study will start at 11:30 am. WOMEN S BIBLE FELLOWSHIP Every Tuesday in November Women s Bible Fellowship will meet at 10:30 am in the Hall, then 11:00 am in the Chapel. All are welcome. CITY RESCUE MISSION SJTD will serve dinner at the City Rescue Mission on Sunday, November 18. Thank you so much to the volunteers that serve these meals each month. UPCOMING EVENTS SERVICES IN NOVEMBER Thursday, November 1 Cosmas & Damianos Thursday, November 8 Synaxis of the Archangels Tuesday, November 13 John Chrysostom Wednesday, November 14 Philip the Apostle Thursday, November 15 Nativity Fast Begins Friday, November 14 Matthew the Apostle Wednesday, November 21 Entrance of the Theotokos Thursday, November 22 Thanksgiving Wednesday, November 21 Andrew the First Called Apostle SENIOR (55+) LUNCHEON NO Senior Luncheon in November. St. John the Divine s Internet Radio Show, Healthy Minds Healthy Souls The second and fourth Tuesday of every month at 8 PM, Roxanne & Fr. Nick will be speaking on our Church s internet radio show, Healthy Minds Healthy Souls. The show merges faith and psychology to give some practical steps to your walk of faith. To listen live to the show, please go to the website, and click on the link for Healthy Minds Healthy Souls. You can also join the conversation by calling

3 Youth & Young Adult Programs Youth Choir: For all children Pre K-6 th Grade. If interested, please contact Stacy Kokkinos at SJTD Mom s Ministry: If you have kids of any age, check out this group and feel free to bring a friend! They will meet the 2nd and 4th Wednesday each month at 9:30am in the church hall. The best part is child care will be provided in the church nursery. This will be a place for women to gather and take some time for themselves to enjoy fellowship with other mothers while discussing all kinds of life topics, scripture, learn new skills and just relax! For more information, please contact Lee- Catherine Hicks at lbateh@gmail.com. Youth Groups: HOPE (PK-4 through 2 nd grade), JOY (3 rd -5 th grade), and GOYA (6 th -12 th grade) meet monthly and offer many programs based on fellowship AND fun! If interested in any of these ministries, please contact our Pastoral Assistant, Alyssa Kyritsis, at pastoral.assistant@stjohnthedivine.com or , x12. Orthodox Christian Fellowship: OCF is the official collegiate campus ministry program under the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America. OCF is charged with connecting Orthodox college students and those interested in the Orthodox Christian faith to Christ and His Church. If interested, please contact our Pastoral Assistant, Alyssa Kyritsis, at pastoral.assistant@stjohnthedivine.com or , x12. Young Adult League (YAL): YAL is a group for young adults, ages Whether social or religious, the group meets at least once a month. If interested, please contact Alyssa Kyritsis at pastoral.assistant@stjohnthedivine.com. Cub Scouts: (Pack #850) We are currently looking for a Scout Leader. If you or someone you know is interested, please let Alyssa know at pastoral.assistant@stjohnthedivine.com. American Heritage Girls: AHG is a Christ based scouting program for girls affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America. It emphasizes experiences and a merit badge program in areas od life skills, leadership, team work, character development, social development, and spiritual development. For more information, visit the website at or contact Robin Dewey at robindewey@usa.net. November Youth and Young Adult Events ALL YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE IN SERVE DAY ON NOVEMBER 17! OCF (College Students) and YAL (Young Adult League) Join us on November 17 at 6:30 PM for Friendsgiving hosted by Lauren Weita! We ask that you bring a side dish for everyone to enjoy. Address will be given upon RSVP. See you then! Mom s Ministry Join us in the Church Hall and Classrooms on Tuesday, November 13 at 9:30 AM for a discussion with Nadia Ioannides on Marriage and Motherhood. During Family Night on Wednesday, November 28 at 6:30 PM with Yianni Demopoulos for Greek Cooking-Lesson 1! Childcare provided. GOYA (7 th -12 th grade) We will have a GOYA Meeting on Wednesday November 14 at 6:30 PM in the Youth House, following Dinner in the Hall at 6 PM. Our Veteran s Dinner will be hosted on Monday, November 12 at 3 PM to honor those who fought so hard for our country. The Orlando Be the Bee Advent Retreat will be on November 17 all day at their church. Greek Dance will be on Wednesday, November 7 and 28 at 6:30 PM, following Dinner at 6 PM, both in the hall. HOPE (PK-4-2 nd Grade) Please join us on November 30 for $5 Fridays at MOSH! We will also have HOPE Sessions during Family Night on November 7, 14, and 28. Dinner will be at 6 PM and Sessions at 6:30 PM. JOY (3 rd -6 th Grade) Please join us on Friday, November 9 at 6:30 PM for a Mini Retreat on Prosphoro Baking and Giving Thanks. We will also have JOY Sessions during Family Night on November 7, 14, and 28. Dinner will be at 6 PM and Sessions at 6:30 PM. American Heritage Girls We will have a meeting on November 11 in the classrooms after Sunday School. We will also host our lock-in on November with a talent show, cookie baking, card making, movies and more! Cub Scouts We are currently looking for a Scout Leader. If you or someone you know is interested, please let Alyssa know at pastoral.assistant@stjohnthedivine.com. Sunday School (3 years-12 th grade) Join us on November 4 for Sundae Sundays! We will not have class on November 25.

4 OUR COMMUNITY IN ACTION Thank you to our many volunteers who worked tirelessly to make this year s Fall Festival such a success!

5 OUR COMMUNITY IN ACTION So much fun tonight with our HOPE kids carving pumpkins and learning about being Christ s Light in the world! Pretended it was fall in 84 degree weather with our JOY kiddos at Amazing Grace Family Farms! Such a cool place! Our GOYA enjoyed a weekend in St. Petersburg at the St. Stephanos Volleyball Tournament! A blessed Feast Day to our Church and Church Family! May St. John intercede for us.

6 November Strategic Planning Update Education Team - The Education Committee is currently working on scripts for various topics related to our faith. Once the scripts are finalized, we will produce a video based on the script for incorporation into our church website. The first two topics are First time here? What to expect and What is the Orthodox Church. If you are interested in participating and having input into the final product, please contact Gem Mann or David Wainer. United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM) Food Pantry Annual Thanksgiving Food and Gift Card Drive is a fundraiser during the beginning of November. UCOM ask for donations of gift cards ($15 - $35) and donations of Thanksgiving Day meal items. They provide area families with holiday feast assistance to include: *A gift card of $15 - $35 to be used for purchasing turkey, eggs, milk and butter. *Gravy *Stuffing *Cranberries *Green bean *Sweet potatoes/yams *Mushroom Soup *French Fried Onions *Corn Bread (jiffy mix) *Can of pie filling *Pie Crust (jiffy mix) *Instant mashed potatoes *Chicken or Turkey stock For Sale 2 adjoining cemetery plots for sale in Block 2, Flat Marker Greek Section of Evergreen Cemetery, Jacksonville, FL. Total selling price $ below current cemetery selling price on the same row. If interested, please call Mary Lou at (904) Plots are one plot over from Mary K Picras and Louie T Picras. Thank you, Mary Lou Picras Pace Dear Church Family. Thank you for your loving kindness, get well cards, lighting candles and visits for my recent hospital stay. Most of all thank you for all the prayers that end up to our Lord and Savior for Theresa and me. We are blessed to belong to a loving Church Family at St John The Divine. We love you, and God bless you all. John Stavros

7 Serve Day Saturday, November 17, 2018 Please join Philoptochos on Sunday, November 11th as we celebrate the feast day of our Patron Saints - Cosmas and Damianos, the Holy Wonderworkers and Unmercenary Physicians. These twin doctors used their talents to heal people and animals alike accepting no payment for their services thus being known as the "Silverless" (Anargyri). They healed both physically and spiritually bringing many to the Christian faith by their actions. Festivities will include the sale of Hotdogs and Loukoumades (honey dipped, cinnamon donuts) after the Liturgy. Proceeds from the sale will go to continuing the mission of Philoptochos and our Patron Saints - Cosmas and Damianos. Please mark your calendar for our Semi-Annual Serve Day on Saturday, November 17th. There will be a signup sheet in the church hall for registration beginning Sunday, September 30th. We have a number of opportunities available, so please consider helping at one of the following: Ronald McDonald House Making Brunch Mission - supports the health and well-being of children by providing lodging and other services for critically ill, chronically ill and seriously injured children and their families. Location San Marco Area near Nemours and Baptist Hospital Children's Way / Jacksonville Time 8 AM to 11 AM, Saturday, November 17 th. Volunteers Needed: 5-7 volunteers needed ages 13 and older Hubbard House Common area clean up Mission - Safety, empowerment and social change for victims of domestic violence and their children. Location Downtown Area. Specific location available 3 days prior to event. Time 10 AM to 1 PM, Saturday, November 17 th. HabiJax Mission - Seeking to put God s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. We will be doing some sort of construction on a home near the center, such as painting, lawn work, framing, etc. Location Please register online to receive the location information. To get the registration forms and link, contact Alyssa at pastoral.assistant@stjohnthedivine.com or X12 Time 8 AM to 3 PM Saturday, November 17 th. Can run shorter, depends on the job. Volunteers Needed: Anyone 16 years old and up! Church Activities We will be making packing Homeless Kits as well as making koulourakia for our Share the Light Ministry and cleaning up the church and church grounds for Thanksgiving. We are in need of the following items athletic socks and wash cloths for homeless kits. Please bring some with you when you come. Time Saturday, November 17th from 10:00 to 1:00

8 St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church Thanksgiving Communion Breakfast Thanksgiving Day Thursday, November 22, 2018 Liturgy Begins at 9:00 am Followed by a Community-Wide Breakfast We encourage our entire community to come and give thanks to God for all we have. Community Christmas Party SAVE THE DATE - Saturday, December 15 4:00 Program begins followed by dinner 2018 Veterans Day Dinner hosted by GOYA! Join us on Monday, November 12 at 3 PM for a Spaghetti Dinner prepared and served with love by our GOYA (Teens). We hope this small token will show how much we love and admire all the sacrifices you made for our freedom. Please be sure to RSVP above! Any questions, call or Alyssa Kyritsis at x12 or pastoral.assistant@stjohnthedivine.com

9 The Psalms. A Book of Prayer It is good to use the book of Psalms as a kind of manual to teach us to pray. At the same time, we need to hold up the full revelation of God in Christ in the New Testament as we read the Psalms in our devotional life. When we do this, we will find a multitude of teaching concerning praise, worship, adoration, and thanksgiving to Him. First, we must believe that we are speaking to the Living, Invisible God. Hebrews 11.6 states that without faith it is impossible to please God. He who comes to Him must believe that He is (there), and that we diligently seek Him. It means that before we pray, we consider that we are speaking to a Person, invisible, but living and interested in us. Like David s prayers in Psalm 55:2-3: Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray Psalm 3:4: To the Lord I cry aloud, and He answered me. Psalm 31:1-2: Bow down your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue as we would say to a friend, Listen, I have something I must say to you. We are to thank God for what He is to us now in the words of Psalm 138:3; In the day when I cried out, You answer me Like our Lord Jesus, on His knees sought His Father; and He knelt down and prayed (Luke 22:41). In all your needs, Pour out your heart before Him (Psalm 62:8). David found out that for all his sorrow, anger, frustration, doubts, fears, panic and the guilt of sin when he poured out everything he felt in words to God. He describes his terror over the visible enemies surrounding him, just as we need to express our fears of invisible, depressing enemies within. Do not hide your true feelings but express them to the Lord until you are aware He has heard you speaking. We will receive comfort only as we are aware that He has listened as we have poured out all our need to Him. Ask God for help in specific minor. As we read in the Bible, the blind man cried out without ceasing to Jesus. However, when Jesus stopped, He asked the blind man to be specific as to what he wanted Jesus to do for him. Jesus said in effect: Ask definitely and pray like, Lord, today give me to see a change in my bad temper, grumbling, laziness, prayerlessness, or Lord, today give me the desire, the opportunity, and the will to pray and to read God s Word. We read how direct and specific David is, as he is not only asks for spiritual help but for help in the affairs of daily life: Psalm 7:1: Save my life ; Psalm, 25:2: Let me not be ashamed ; Psalm 51:2: Wash me and cleanse me : Psalm 51:10, Create a clean heart in me ; Psalm 86:17: Give a sign of your goodness ; Psalm 71:8: let my mouth be filled with your praise all day long. In this way, we are encouraged to pray specifically about every situation for business, or for healing in our lives. Another season of giving has begun. We will be ringing the bells for the Salvation Army again this year. It will be at the Publix at Baymeadows and Southside [same place as before]. We will start on November 23 and 24 and continue each weekend through to December 21 and 26. I will have a sign up table in the church hall starting this Sunday. This is a great way of sharing our time and giving in helping others. The Salvation Army is a charity that helps and gives to the needy. In paraphrasing chapter 25 of Matthew, when I was hungry you fed me, when I was bare you clothed me. This is how the Salvation Army and we as a parish can help. With faith in Christ, Thank you Victor Kassees We have to expect God to answer our prayers in His own way and thank Him because we know His answer will come. Many Psalms begin in despair, in confusion, in partial unbelief, in doubt, in helplessness. However, even before the prayer or Psalm is finished, an inward conviction that He will do something about this, and His peace is present in us as we thank God. Even before we are rise from our knees (or finishing) the Psalm. Such Psalms as Psalm 3:1 with Psalm 3:4: O Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! and He answers me from His holy hill. Before we rise from our knees, let asks ourselves, Do we believe God is now working and going to work for us in this thing we have requested? If we are aware that in answer to our prayer He is helping us, let us thank Him like David for the answer before we rise, and watch all day, looking to see how God is working for us. Let us go to our private prayers with faith, knowing that our loving invisible God is with us listening to every word that comes out from our mouth. In His Name, John Stavros.

10 Parish Council Elections will be held on Sunday, December 2, 2018 AGENDA FALL GENERAL ASSEMBLY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2018 In accordance with the Archdiocese Uniform Parish Regulations: Section 1: To serve on a Parish Council is a ministry and all those who serve are called to represent Christ and the Orthodox Faith to all whom they meet in all aspects of life. The Parish Council shall consist of the Priest, as the head of the Parish, and a number of elected lay members fixed by the Parish Bylaws or by local statute according to the needs of the Parish. The Parish Council is responsible to the Parish Assembly and to the respective Hierarch for conducting all Parish affairs in keeping with the mission, aims and purposes of the Church as set forth in the Charter and these Regulations. Section 2: A candidate for the Parish Council must be a parishioner in good standing of the Parish for at least one (1) year immediately preceding the date of the election and must live his or her life in accordance with the Faith and canons of the Church. If you are interested in being considered as a candidate for the Parish Council, please contact the Election Committee Chairman, Bill Bacalis at or billbac@aol.com. Opening Prayer Establishment of a Quorum Election of a Chairman Reading of the Minutes Katherine Tsengas Spring General Assembly February 11, 2018; Special Assembly: October 7, 2018 Priest s Report - Fr. Nick Louh Parish Council President Report Pete Carantza Treasurer Report George Stavros Financials as of September 30, 2018 (For Information) Proposed 2019 Church Budget George Stavros Board of Elections Report Bill Bacalis Election of the 2019 Board of Auditors Audit Report - Nick Stamatogianakis Election of the 2019 Board of Elections Stewardship Committee Report - Tom Gibson Investment Report - George Stavros Millennium Building Committee Report - Nick Furris Capital Campaign Committee Report - Athena Mann & Steve Bacalis Strategic Planning Report - Chris Regas and Maria Chrissovergis Old Business New Business Closing Prayer PRELIMINARY LIST OF PARISH COUNCIL CANDIDATES: Philip Amorgianos Roxanne Attanasio Tom Gibson Mark Lasoff Barbara Ioannides Rappaport Chris Regas Bob Sistko George Stavros Dean Sunas Bill Toundas An will be sent with all the candidates and their bios. If you are interested in running please contact Bill Bacalis.